Proverbs 14:31

14:31 The one who oppresses ¹  the poor insults ²  his Creator,

but whoever shows favor ³  to the needy honors him.

Matthew 10:42

10:42 And whoever gives only a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple, I tell you the truth, ⁴  he will never lose his reward.”

Matthew 25:40

25:40 And the king will answer them, ⁵  ‘I tell you the truth, ⁶  just as you did it for one of the least of these brothers or sisters ⁷  of mine, you did it for me.’

John 13:20

13:20 I tell you the solemn truth, ⁸  whoever accepts ⁹  the one I send accepts me, and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me.” ¹⁰ 

¹ tn The verb עָשַׁק (’ashaq) normally means “to oppress” (as in many English versions). However, here it might mean “to slander.” See J. A. Emerton, “Notes on Some Passages in the Book of Proverbs,” JTS 20 (1969): 202-22.

² sn In the Piel this verb has the meaning of “to reproach; to taunt; to say sharp things against” someone (cf. NIV “shows contempt for”). By oppressing the poor one taunts or mistreats God because that person is in the image of God – hence the reference to the “Creator.” To ridicule what God made is to ridicule God himself.

³ sn The phrase “shows favor” is contrasted with the term “oppresses.” To “show favor” means to be gracious to (or treat kindly) those who do not deserve it or cannot repay it. It is treatment that is gratis. This honors God because he commanded it to be done (Prov 14:21; 17:5; 19:17).

⁴ tn Grk “Truly (ἀμήν, amhn), I say to you.”

⁵ tn Grk “answering, the king will say to them.” This is somewhat redundant and has been simplified in the translation.

⁶ tn Grk “Truly (ἀμήν, amhn), I say to you.”

⁷ tn Grk “brothers,” but the Greek word may be used for “brothers and sisters” (cf. BDAG 18 s.v. ἀδελφός 1, where considerable nonbiblical evidence for the plural ἀδελφοί [adelfoi] meaning “brothers and sisters” is cited). In this context Jesus is ultimately speaking of his “followers” (whether men or women, adults or children), but the familial connotation of “brothers and sisters” is also important to retain here.

⁸ tn Grk “Truly, truly, I say to you.”

⁹ tn Or “receives,” and so throughout this verse.

¹⁰ sn The one who sent me refers to God.